Method and mechanism for uncoiling



Sept. 15, 1936. F. WALDORF METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR UNCOILING Filed Feb. 2, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Sept. 15, 1936. F. WALDORF METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR UNCOILING Filed Feb. 2, 1933 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 ll/QNTOR 9mm l Ill;

F5 v I Sept. 15, 1936. F. WALDORF METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR UNCOILING Filed Feb. 2, 1933 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 15, 1936. F. WALDORF METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR UNCOILIN G Filed Feb. 2, 1935 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 QQN Sept. 15, 1936. F. WALDORF METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR UNCOILING Filed Feb. 2, 1953 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Sept. 15, 1936. WALDORF 2,054,347

METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR UNCOILING Filed Feb. 2, 1933 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Sept. 15, 1936.

F. WALDORF METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR UNCOILING Filed Feb. 2, 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR i S Sn 151: m

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Sept. 15, 1936.

F. WALDORF METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR UNCOILING Filed Feb. 2, 1953 9 SheetsSheet 9 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 15 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT oFncE Y METHOD AND MECHANISM FOR v UNCOILING Fred Waldorf, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application February 2, 1933, Se'rial No. 654,877 35 Claims. (01.242 18) venient and advantageous to wind or coil strip,

l sheet, and wire materials into more compact forms, such as reels, rolls, or convolutions, chiefly,

in order to aid in storing, and to make further handling of the metal easier, it follows that some suitable .form of a paratus must be em- 15 ployed for reversing the operation, or for uncoiling and/0r straightening the metal when it is to be further treated, such as pickled or cold rolled, or when the ultimate form is'to be noncircular. a

Q And, it has been an object of my invention to produce an improved mechanism in which movement of active parts may be consecutively controlled. v Anotherobject has been the production of a 26 new procedure in connection with the positioning and/or control of an active part (or parts) of such machines as wire and sheet uncoilers and/ or mills.

A further or more specific object has been to 30 provide an improved metal uncoiler that eliminates objectionable features inherent in such apparatus as now in use and known to me.

In connection with an uncoiler, a feature of the invention is the provision of a timed operating 85 mechanism whereby a systematic and positive operation is attained.

Another feature of the invention is the production of an uncoiler in which relative movement 1 between the parts thereof is successively made 40 available to strip an end of a coil, to incline the coil, and to feed the stripped end to and through a pinch roll pass.

In the compact embodied forms of my invention here illustrated, I bring out a simplified un-.

45 coiling procedure, by which I have been able to ticularly, where space displacing parts are controlled in a timed relation. 7 I

Figure 1 is a front perspective view in elevation of an illustrated embodiment of my invention in a lowered position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment and its position shown in Figure 1. I

Fig. 3 is a rear view in elevation taken along line IlIIII of'Fig. 2; it also shows the embodiment in a raised position. 10.

Fig. 4 is-a side elevational taken along line IVIV of Figs. 1 and 2, but illustrates the'embodiment in araised position; inthis view the wall of a housing-frame or stand has been partially broken away to better show operating membars. i

Fig. 5 is a fragmental rear perspective of the embodiment of Fig. 1 in a raised position and shows certain details.

Fig. 6 is a detail of astripper finger.

Figs. 6a and 6b are detail illustrationswhich' show a modified form of apron finger. Fig. Us a perspective rear elevation of an operating mechanism which embodies a slight modification of detail.

Figs. 8 .and 8a; are enlarged perspective view in elevation of parts of a. guide rail assembly.

Fig. 9 is a side view and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of details of a clutch mechanism.-

Fig. 11 is a schematic operating diagram of the embodiment of Fig. 1, wherein the full lines show a. raised position, and the dotted lines show a lowered position of the apparatus; the connections represented by a. single circle show movable pivot points, and those represented by a double circle show fulcrum or fixed pivot points.

Fig. 12 'is a circuit diagram that maybe employed for operating the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is a somewhat diagrammatic detail.

Fig. 14 is a modified circuit diagram.

Fig. 15 is afront perspective view illustrating a modified lever system. Fig.- .16 is a fragmental front perspective in elevation of a modified form of a raisingand lowering or mdtivating mechanism.

Fig. 1'7 is an end view in elevation, partial! in section, and taken along lines AA and 'BIB of Fig. 18. I Y

Fig. 18 is a side view in elevation of an apparatus employing the lever system of Fig. 15, the frame and carriage of the embodiment of Fig. 1, and the motivating mechanism of Figs. 16 and 1'7; dot'and dash lines are employed to show a lowered position of the apparatus; for better illustration of operating parts, the support or bear- {i ing stand walls for a driving gear (see Figs. 16

. and 17) have been omitted. Y

Fig. 19 is a side elevational view of another illustrated embodiment of my invention; the dot and dash lines show a lowered position, and the full lines show a raised position of the apparatus.

Fig. 20 is a front perspective showing certain details of the embodiment of Fig. 19; and

Fig. 21 is a perspective showing of further details.

Taken generally, the apparatus set forth in the illustrated embodiments of my invention includes a frame or housing, a carriage supported and carried in the frame, and rolls adapted to receive the end of a piece of coiled material.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 1 and the related drawings, I have provided a housing frame H], a carriage 20 pivotally supported and received in the frame, means 30 for stripping an end of a coil of material, pinch roll means 40, 45 for pushing out the material, apron means 4|, 49 for guiding the rolled material to and from the apparatus, and a motivating means I50.

As seen from Fig. 1, theframe I is provided with oppositely positioned and spaced upwardly projecting walls within which the carriage 20 is journaled by a transversely extending pivot shaft I52.

In carrying out my invention, the coiled material C such as strip metal, is placed upon and between a pair of oppositely positioned carrying rollers 2| and 22 that are transversely journaled within suitable bearing boxes 23. The boxes a pair of plugs at each end thereof .adapted to fit within a suitable pair of holes inthe front and rear edges of the carriage that represent the width of a given coil C.

Anaxle shaft 2|a of the fore roller 2| at one end extends beyond a side of the carriage 20 and receives a handle wheel 24 thereon, in order that the roller, and thus, coil 0" may be turned and/or rotated about its support until the out side end of the material thereof is adjacent to the stripper means 30. As shown, roller 2| is provided with a plurality of peripheral slots spaced along the length thereof, in order to permit sufllcient clearance with the strippermeans 30.

Althougha certain amount of squeeze between the coil positioning and supporting rollers 2| and 22 may be advantageous, yet, where lighter and more flexible coils are to be uncoiled, I prevent excessive squeeze by connecting or gearing one roller to the other for a substantially timed rotative movement. As seen from Figs. 2, 3, and 5, I may accomplish this purpose by a sprocket and chain arrangement 2'526, that is. mounted on extensions of the roller shafts 2|a and 22a.

Thestripper means 30 includes a plurality of longitudinally extending fingers 3| rigidly securedto and mounted at one end on a common operating shaft 32 that is turnably mounted or jourualed within the opposite walls ll of the housing frame. A transverse cross bar 33 extends from cut-out portions l2 in the opposite walls ll of the frame l0 and abuts lower faces of the stripper fingers 3|,in order to limit their maximum lowered positioning. Support fingers 34 are secured between cross bar 33 and operating shaft 32 for holding the fingers in abutment with the bar. v

The fingers 3| are raised-and lowered by means of a vertical lifting frame 36; the latter is at one end pivotally connected to the support fingers 34, and at the other end, is slotted and pivotally connected at 31 to oppositely-spaced, triangular-. shaped actuating cams 91 that are pivoted at fixed pivot points 98. The control of the fingers 3 IV may be supplemented by a manual lever 35, at one end',

extending end of each stripper finger 3| is slotted or is open upwardly to receive a catch finger 38 that is mounted on a pivot 39' that extends between opposite sides of the stripper finger. And, after an end of the outer convolution of the coil C has been turned to a position adjacent the stripper means 30, and, has been backed ofi slightly until this end is snapped into nebs of the catch fingers 38 (see Figs. 1 and 6), then, the stripper means 30 is actuated to strip or work this end downwardly loose from the coil, in or-. der that it may be carried or fed to the pinch roll means 4045.

After the means 30 has stripped an adjacent end of the coil C by lowering the fingers 3| hooked upon this end, an apron means 4| pushes and guides the now loosened or stripped end of coil C downwardly and enters it between the pinch roll means 40-45; the apron means may be termed .a feed apron having fingers (see Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4) whose spacing corresponds to the Width of each stripper finger 3|. It should be noted that both the stripper means 30 and'the 4 apron means 4| move in a substantially arcuate path. And, since as seen from the drawings, both 30 and 4| are adapted to move on-the forward slope of an arc, the holding pressure exerted by the fingers of means 30 will increase and depth of hold of the fingers of means 4| ,0 is being fed to the pinch rolls. Thus, after the end of the coil has been stripped, the apron fingers 4| move from a position between the stripper fingers 3| (see Fig. 4) to contact and receive the stripped end of coil C, to lower it upon the pinch roll and, leg 65 lowers pinch roll 40 upon this end to a cooperative and passforming relationship with respect to the roll 45 (see Figs. 1 and 2). In employing the term pushing I have particular reference to the will increase, as the end of coilapron means 4|, which presses against what may stopped after the carriage 20 has been raised, the stripper fingers may rise slightly before they begin tolower; this action may be advantageous where the nebs of catch fingers 38 have-difliculty in catching the'end of the coil, e. g., when the coil is very stiff; this action will be apparent from a study of the lever system which will hereafter be further studied.

As seen, apron finger member 4| is pivotally mounted 'at 40a within an operating and support-framework or lever system; since the portions of this framework on opposite sides of the housing III are bi-laterally symmetrical, I will only describe one side in detail. The framework operating system includes an upper leg member 60, at one end 6| pivotally mounted or fulcrumed on the wall of carriage'20, extending downwardly therefrom, and being rigidly. secured between and re-enforced at its lower end by a set of oppositely positioned clamp plates 62. This clamp assembly 62 forms in the nature of a knee, in that at one corner it rotatably receives or journals shaft 40a which supports the upper pinch roll 40 and near its ends pivotally supports the apron fingers 4| (see Fig. 4); and, in that, at another corner it pivotally supports the upper end of a downwardly inclining lower leg member 65. This lower leg 65 (see Fig. 5) is raised and lowered along a longitudinal slot 66 therein, and along longitudinally extending rack teeth 6'! that are spaced from the slot I56 and mounted on an inner side of the leg 65. These teeth 61 are adapted to mesh with and to be driven by a pinion 10 keyed or feathered to shaft 'II that is jour- -naled between opposite walls of housing frame I0.

Since the side positioning portions of the apron finger member 4| are pivotally tied near their lower ends 63 by an adjustable tie rod 64 to a cradle 44, it thereforefollows that this member 4| has two pivot points, a main fixed one 40a, and

a secondary, movable one 63.

In order to raise and lower carriage 20 and to operate the framework mechanism above described, as before mentioned, I have mounted the carriage near a front lower end thereof on a pivot shaft I52 that is pivotally mounted or'journaled within the opposite walls I I of the housing frame I0. Cradle members 44 at one end journal axle shaft 46 of the lower pinch roll 45, and are bifurcated at the other end to straddle the walls of carriage 20 and also pivot on shaft I52.

As shown, the extending end of each cradle member 44 is provided with a bayonet flange or seat 48 adapted to abut against an extending bayonet flange 22 of the carriage and to limit the maximum upward travel of the main pinch roll 45.

In order to permit the pinch rolls 40 and 45 to automatically adjust themselves for wear, for

irregularities in the material, and for various thicknesses thereof, the lower roll 45 is resiliently or yieldably pressed upwardly by suitable spiral springs 23 that are disposed to rest within casings 24 in the carriage 29 and to abut or seat upon the 'journalling portions of cradle members 44. It

Each toggle includes an upper leg portion 80 connected by a toggle knee 8| to a lower leg portion 82 that is in turn pivotally connected at 84 to a pivot block Illa on the bedplate of' the .housing frame Id. The toggle knees 8| may in- "clude' a common pivot shaft 83 (see Fig. 5) that has bi-laterally similar operating lever systems pivotally connected thereto adjacent the toggles. When the carriage 20 is actuated by toggles 8Il-82, it pivots about point I52, moves throughan arc at its rear end, and drives pinion shaft II. As seen, in order to accomplish this result,

' the pinion shaft II has a pinion I2 splined or down, and in turn, actuate the stripper and apron fingers and raise and lower the upper roll 40.

Each bi-laterally similar lever operating system includes a crank 90 (see Figs. 4 and 7) at one end secured to a clutch driven shaft I and at the other end having a crank pin 9| that.

pivotally connects driven lever 92 to the shaft 83 of the knee 8| of the toggle. 1

The operation of the toggle is timed with the suitable lever system. This latter system includes a drive-lever 93, at one end making a slide or slotted pivot connection with pin 9|, and at the other end being pivoted to an upper end of a swing lever 94. The lower end of swing lever 94 is pivoted about point 95 within the operation of the stripper fingers3l through a placed thereon. The weight is sli'dably mounted 1 for vertical movement on guide rails I2 that ex-' tend upwardly from the bedplate of the housing frame Ill, and at either end, is supported on oute wardly projecting end balances I by suitable cables or chains I22. Each cable is secured at its other end to a spindle wheel I23 having a peripheral guide groove and being keyed'to pinion shaft 1| for rotation therewith. Each cable slides over a suitable suspension pulley I24 that is mounted'for rotation on a horizontally and transversely extending support shaft I25, that is in turn, mounted between opposite walls II of the frame housing III. The counterweight I20 thus serves to balance the carriage 20 at posi tions within the frame I0, and to prevent motor jerk by counteracting a tendency of the weight of the carriage to lag when it is being raised and to lead when it is being lowered.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2,'and 4, the end and progressively adjacent portions of coil C, after being pinched between rolls 40 and 45, are fed outwardly between an apron tray 49 and a cover plate 50. The tray has been mounted adjacent to pinch rolls on a transverse support beam or member 5| (see Fig. 4) extending from and between the opposite cradle members 44, in order that the inner end of the tray will move simultaneously with the lower pinch roll 45 when the latter yields with a given thickness of strippassed thereover. The cover plate 50 of the apron is pivotally levered at its outer or extending end by a lever arm 52; as seen, the cover has a pair of upwardly projecting pivot lugs 53 for receiving one end of the arm, and, the side walls of the tray pivotally receive the other end.

- bers of the apparatus.

Suitable stops 99 are provided for positively limiting maximum travel of the finger-lift-cams 91 (see Figs. 15 and 18).

A common motivating mechanism has been provided'for the illustrated embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 1 and the related figures. This mechanism includes a driving motor I (see Fig. 2), a flexible coupling I5I,, and a drive shaft I52. In order to continuously rotate the lower, main, or driven pinch .roll 45, its axleshaft 46 at one end extends beyond an adjacent wall of the frame of carriage'20 and has a large gear wheel 41 (see Fig. 5) keyed or splined thereto for meshing with a pinion I53 that is splined on the drive shaft I52.

As seen, drive shaft I52 is journaled or rotatably mounted within opposite walls of the frame housing and serves as the pivot support for carriage 20, and has been journaled near the motor side of the housing frame in a stand I6I mounted on the bedplate of the latter. A pinion I55 has been keyed or splined to shaft I52 adjacent the journal stand I6I for meshing with and driving a gear wheel I63 of the primary portion of a clutch mechanism I (see Figs. 1, 4, 7, 9, and

The clutch mechanism I60 has'been provided for. controlling, and/or regulating the operation of crank arms 90. As seen, in Figures 1, '1, 9, and 10, the mechanism includes a primary or driving shaft I64, and a secondary, crank-driving shaft I16; the primary shaft I64 is journaled within the lower portion of stand I6I (see Figs. 1, 3, and 10), is driven by and rotatably receives the idle gear wheel I63 that carries a peripherally groovedwheel 165; the wheel I65 is adapted to receive the slotted-out portion of a clutch control cam I66 which is levered or pivoted at one end on the secondary shaft I16.- As shown in Figures 7, 9, and 10, the lever cam I66 is resiliently held upwardly against the lower periph- 'ery of grooved wheel I65 by means of a leaf-like positioning spring I68 that is securely mounted between the bedplate of frame I0 and a bottom edge of the cam.

The engaging mechanism of the clutch I60 includes a sleeve member I1I slidably mounted on the, central portion of primary shaft I64 by a lug and slot means I12, and has a projecting end tooth member I13 (see Figs. 9 and 10) adapted to cooperate wlth and engage a tooth member I69 that projects longitudinally from the grooved cam-receiving wheel I65, and, to thus, drive the primary shaft I64 through lug means I12.

For disconnecting the teeth of the clutch I60, the illustrated embodiment shows an auxiliary,

somewhat arcuately-shaped cam segment I 66a secured to the lower lateral face of lever cam I66 and extending upwardly therefrom to project over the lower lateral surface of cam-receiving wheel I65. The ends of the segment cam I66a slope or incline laterally from their ends andterrninate in a central, transverse shoulder portion, in order that when the cam is raised to contact with sleeve "I, a roller uncoupling lug I14 the couple or connection between the clutch teeth and will allow the idle gear I63 and its wheel I65 to rotate without driving the primary shaft I64.

For raising lever cam I66 and its associated arcuate cam I66a, a right angle bracket I has been rigidly secured by one face to the extending end of the lever cam I66; its down face is provided with a positioning collar I8I, adapted to slidably receive the extending end of an operating rod I82 of a magnetic clutch control I84, and to position the rod by abutting a set nut I83 threaded on the end thereof. I

A- magnetic safety I has been provided for holding lever cam I66 in an up position'under certain conditions which will be hereinafter right angle bracket I80 when it is in a raised position, in order to hold it in such a position even when the magnetic clutch control I84 is energized and subjects the operating rod I62 to a downward pull. In order to re-enforce the foot I93 against a downward pull, a slide support block I94a. is mounted on a secondary or upper bedplate of the housing frame I0 and extends upwardly in such a manner that its upper face abutsthe lower face of lock foot I 93.

The other (outside) face of this end of the safety arm I92 is provided with a magnetically attracted lug I94, adapted to be pulled outwardly when the magnetic safety I90 is energized, and to thus, move the lock foot I93 out from beneath the bracket I80, and, to permit a downward pull of the operating rod I82 of the magnetic clutch release coil I64. A single pole, single throw switch or push button I95 has been provided for operating the coils I84 and I 90 in a manner that will be hereafter more fully described.

As seen from Figs. 1 and 7, the primary or driven shaft I 64 is journaled at one end in a journal stand I62 (spaced from the opposite stand I6I), and, has a pinion I15 meshing and driving a gear wheel I11 that is splined or keyed on the tertiary or the 'crank shaft I16. Crank shaft I16 is spaced from the primary shaft I64,

, and is also journaled withimthe same oppositelypositioned stands I6I and I62 as this latter shaft.

If desired, an ordinary form of braking means engage carriage extension 21, and is pivoted at a 5, I have shown magnetic lock 200 on one side v and a power lock 250 on the other sideof the carriage 20, yet it will appear'that only one look may be employed, that a manual lock may be employed, and that a set of opposite-magnetic, or ,a set of opposite-manual, or a set of oppositepower locks may be employed. In a lowered position, the under edges of the opposite walls of to extend through a slot in the wall and contact with an upper resilient switch point 205 when the carriage is unlocked, and to ,contact with a lower'resilient switch point 206 when the carriage is locked. To lock the carriage, an upper end of the latch lever 20I hooks over a latch lug (that is shown as an extension of an adjacent upper toggle-support pivot. 21) which projects outwardly from the side of the carriage 20.

As seen in Figure 4, the upper or hook end of latch lever 20I is pivotally connected by an-oifset lever arm 201 to a corner of a somewhat triangular-shapedoperating and control cam 200. The cam 208 is connected at an opposite end to the plunger arm 209 of a magnetic release coil 2) by a short pivot link 2 (see Figs. 3 and 4); this cam is manually controlled by a counterweighted reset or latch set and throw lever 2I2 which is feathered or keyed to a common pivot or support shaft 2I3 that extends "through and been turnably or pivotally mounted on the fulcrum shaft 202 and is provided with a hooked shoulder portion somewhat centrally thereof on a weighted or off-balancing side of the fulcrum A finger 2 I6 extends outwardly from a lower corner of the latch lever 20I through a slot in the adjacent side wall of the housing frame I0, and coopcrates with and is received by the hooked shoul: der of trigger 2I5. Since the hooked side of the trigger 2 I 5 is provided with a greater weight than the other or carriage-follow side, if the carriage 20 is raised, the finger 2 I6 will be pressed downwardwardly within its slot, and the latch lever 20E will be moved backwardly about its pivot 202; thus, the latch portion 21 of thecarriage 20 will always clear the lever 20I when the carriage is being raised and will remain out of the way until the carriage is moved to a completely lowered position. At the lowered position, the carriage holds the follow-side of the trigger 2I5 downwardly, moves the.weighted side or end upwardly,'releases the finger 2H5, and permits the magnetic latch 200 to be locked by a throw of the reset lever 2 I2 to the left (see the set position of Fig. 1 and the released position of Fig. 4). I

As shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5, and 13, the power lock 250 is mounted on the opposite side of the housing frame I0'from the magnetic lock 200, and cooperates with an outward extension of an adjacent toggle-support pivot 21 for holding the,

. carriage in a down or pinch-roll-operative position. The power lock includes a lock-lever 25I, at

one end having a hook-shape to engage and dis fulcrum or support point 252; this lever is operated by a suitable motor 258 through a drive shaft 251, a speed reduction gearing 256, a stud shaft 255, and a crank lever- 254 whose extending pivot 253 operates within a lower slotted extension of the lock-lever 25I. When the lock is in an unlatched position (see Fig. 5), its front edge presses as a warning signal and is lighted when the power lockis in a latching position; itwarns the operator to not to attempt to raise the carriage 20 until the lock 250 has been unlatched.

Fig. 12 shows a circuit diagram suitable for the magnetic and power looks, as well as for the clutch mechanism of the illustrative'embodiment of my invention shown ,in Figure 1 and the related drawings. In Fig. 14 I have shown a circuit diagram suitable for use with a set of magnetic locks; this diagram is similar to the diagram of Fig. 12, exx cept the power lock 25.0 is omitted, and a magnetic ing'frame I0 adjacent the power lock is employed 1' lock 200' is employed instead of the latter; this lock 200 is connected in parallel with the magnetic lock 200.. K'

When the switch lvers- 262, 260, and 203 are in the positionsofFig. 12, the power lock 250 is latched, the light 265 is burning, the magnetic lock 200 is released, and the carriage 20 is down and is not free to be raised or lowered. Thus, the light 265 gives the operator warning not to close the carriage raising and lowering switch I95; but, if it is closed no damage will be done'in that no current can flow through line a-d-e to energize' the safety release coil I and the clutch control coil I84.

When lever 25I is turned to the right in the diagram of Fig. 12, the carriage power lock 250 is released, switch' 260 contacts with its point '26I, causing a current flow from a to d, and from d to "e; and, switch 262 isopened and the flow to lamp 265 from a to "0 to b is cut off. As

, a result, if switch B is closed, current flows'from Ila!) (dd)! file) (b) 4'6 fh! g to b, energizing the parallel coils I90 and I84; this causes the safety coil I90-to pull the lock foot I 93 out from beneath the lower face of the angle bracket I80 of the clutch mechanism I60,

and to allow the magnetic coil I84 to pull the clutch operating rod I82 downward, carrying with it bracket I80, and thus, the end of the lever cam I55, As a result, the tooth I14 is released'from abutment with the shoulder of the segment cam face IIiBa, permitting leaf spring H011 to slide clutch sleeve I'II endwise against the face of cam wheel I65; thus, the tooth I69 and the lug I13- sufficient to raise or lower the carriage from one position to the other, and since the throw or uncoupling tooth I14 is adapted to operate only on the high central shoulder I66a.'

Next, suppose the power lock 250 is in the unlatched position above and that the carriage 20 is down, and, is locked by throwing reset lever 2I2 of the latch 20I to'the left. Then, switch 260 contacts point 26I and switch 203 contacts its lower point 206. As a result, current flows from line 0" to line d to the branch lines e and 1". If the magnetic-throw, latch-release switch button 2I4 is momentarily pressed, the coil 2'I0 is energized by current from line I. to "g to b, and the plunger 209 is pulled downwardly, throwing reset lever 2I2 to the right and unlocking the carriage; switch 203 then contacts point 205. It will appear that the safety coil I90 as well as the clutch coil I84 may then be energized ifswitch I95 is closed, for current flows from line "a to "(1 of the segment cam to e to b through the parallel circuits e-b to unlock the carriage first; there willbe no jamming of the mechanism if switch I95 isnow closed since only the safety coil I90 will be energized; clutch coil I34 cannot be energized since the switch 2I4 and the line IL-9 are open, and the switch points 203 and '206 are contacting. From a study of the circuit, such holds true regardless of whether or not the power latch 250 is unlocked; it also appears that the magnetic lock throw switch 2I4 cannot be energized through lines "d-f-b until the power lock 250 is released. I

Thus, the system is fool-proof from any standpoint and there-is little or no danger of jams; but, as a further safeguard, as explained before, the driving motor I50 is coupled to the drive shaft I52 of the apparatus through a flexible coupling II that will take care of any misalignment of the mechanism; 4

In the layout of Fig. 14, employing another magnetically controlled lock 200f instead of the power lock 250, I show substantially the same-circuit diagram as would be employed in Fig. 12 if power lock 250 were omitted. Since I connect the lock release coils 2 I0 and 2I0 in series andtheir respective carriage switches 200 and 200 w in parallel, it follows that closing release switch 2 will energize'both coils and will simultaneously release both locks, and even ifone is already released, the other will be released. The

same features of safety explained in Fig. 12 as the coils riage "has been shown in dotted lines to bring out the points of connection to the lever system. Since many of the parts of this embodiment have the same function, form, and mounting as in the embodiment of Fig. 1, -I will designate similar parts of the present embodiment by their former numerals, and will employ numerals with prime suffixes for designating parts or construction details differing from the previously explained embodiment.

Both of the illustrative embodiments of Figs. 1 and 15 accomplish a raising of the carriage when the crank arms 90 move through 180 from one horizontal to an opposite horizontal position and accomplish a lowering of the carriage when the crank arms move through 180 more, to complete 360 of movement, and thus, to return to the original horizontal position.

While in the embodiment of Fig. l and related figures, the motor I50 is employed to con- -tinuously drive the pinch roll 45 and to raise nection with the pneumatic-raise" means, and

vice versa, and that the present connection of showings is for the purpose of simplification of illustration. Asseen, the lever system of Fig. 15 maybe adapted to the drive and control mechanism of Fig. l-by merely substituting shaft I16 and its gear I11 for the shaft I16 and its segment gear I11; the same applies in the reverse manner for'the adaptation of the lever system of Fig. 1 to the "pneumatic system" of Figs. 16 to 18.

Since, as explained before, the lever system of Fig. 15 is in many respects similar to that of Fig. land the related figures, and the carriage, the stripper and apron are the same, I will endeavor to simplify the description as muchas possible.

As seen in Fig. 15, points 95 and 84 are fixed pivots or fulcrum points in or on the housing frame I0, points 21 and 6| are fulcrums on the carriage 20, and 68' is a fulcrum shaft extending through the rear portion of opposite side walls of the housing frame I0; points 66', 33. and 10' are movingpivots or joints. In Fig. 18 the full lines represent the carriage and its lever and driven systems in an almost completely raised position, and, dot-dash lines represent them in a lowered position. In Fig. 18, I have broken away the mounting standard of gear I11, and have moved the pneumatic means slightly inward, in

,order to more clearly distinguish the levers adjacent such gear; of course, in the embodiment shown, the crank 90 turns through substantially, 180? from one horizontal position to another The pneumatic means 300 includes a base plate 30I adapted to be mounted within the bedplate of the housing frame and to extend longitudinally therealong. A pressure cylinder housmg 302 ismbunted and keyed upon the baseplate 30I, is substantially centered transversely thereof to extend longitudinally therealong, and

'is held in position between suitable end plates 303 and between side plates or standards 304.

As seen, the segment gear I11 is journalled within the standards 304, and cooperates and meshes with a driving rack member 305 that extends longitudinally and is mounted at one end toslide within a slotted top of the cylinder housing 302, and at the other end, to be secured within and be moved by a drive plate 306. The drive plate is, in turn, slidably positioned on a pair of spaced and longitudinally extending guide rods 301 that are mounted on upward projections of the baseplate 30I. A piston 306 is provided with a rod 309 which is rigidly secured to the drive plate 306 substantially centrally thereof.

It will thus appear when the piston 300 is alternatively subjected to pressures entering at opposite ends of the cylinder housing 302 that the rack 305 will be reciprocated backward and forward and will, in turn, reciprocate segment I"? and raise and lower the carriage and its associated mechanism through the agency of the lever system.

In another illustrated. embodiment of my invention (see Figs. 19 to 21) I have shown an uncoiler apparatus of simple form and operation that is particularly adapted for employment in connection with smaller size reels or coils; it

and its procedure, like the previously expounded have utility as applied to many. other materials,

e. g., paper. I

The coil of material C to be unrolled is placed between the opposite side walls of a housing stand 4011 upon transversely mounted rollers 406.

.As seen, each roller is adjustably mounted with- I in a series of slots in the upper edges of the housing walls, inorder to take care of coils of various diameters; each slot may be somewhat hooked or inclined away from the coil fC (not shown) to prevent any possibility of the. axle such is undesirable; a plug and hole mounting is employed.

In Fig. 19 a hand or manually controlled and operated lever system has been shown-in fullline outline in its raised position and in dot and dash outline in its lowered position. Thissystem is provided to feed an end of the coil C to a position between pinch rolls 420 and 425,

ready for discharge; it includes a swing arm 408,

wfulcrumed at its upper end 401 to a bridge portion of the housing frame 400, and, at its lower end 469, it rotatably supports or journals an upper pinch roll 420 and pivotally supports an end of a lower toggle leg 4H). A toggle arm M2 is pivotally connected by a knee 4!] to the leg m; a manual control lever system 4l5-4lt is secured at one end to a knee portion of the toggle arm M2 for moving-the knee-4M about a common fulcrum shaft 4L3 that is pivotally mounted between opposite sides of the housing frame. As seen, a re-enforcing transverse piece 4M may be secured between the opposite side walls of toggle arms M2.

As will ,be noted,- the coil C is positioned above the lower pinch roll 425 in such a manner that if the coil is flexible or loose enough, its

.end will fall downwardly upon the face, of the lower pinch roll 425. Thus, roll 425 has a positioning beneath the coil such that it is substantially in the normal path of the weight or gravity fall of aloose end of the coil. If the coil end is not, itself, flexible enough to permit fail upon the pinch roll 425, apparatus is employed which has been designed for aiding the movement of the coil end and which takes advantage ing or movingthe knee 4 of the toggle.

, tion is not required, the apron means will operate to push it the required additional distance to a position upon the lower roll. The operator can, at the proper time, rotate the .support rollers 2| to back the coil C? and further aid the passfeeding operations previously enumerated. In the embodiment of my invention showing a fixed carriage the rolls 406 'or the coil; itself, may be turned backwardly to aid in feeding the coil end to the roll pass. 3

When the knee 4 is moved from the bent position of the full line outline of Fig. 19 to the straight-line position of the dot and dash outline of the same figure, then the swing lever 408 moves to a vertical position, and the end of the coil C is clamped between the upper pinch roll 420 and the lower or driven pin roll 425. As seen, lower-roll 425 is journaled within opposite housing walls, and its journal 426 is adapted to receive one end of a spiral spring 421 that is mounted to extend upwardly from its housing 403, in order to resiliently hold the roll in a pinching position.

- Atone end, roll 425 may be driven by a suitable motor 429 through a suitable gear reduction unit 428 and shaft 425a (see Fig. 20).

When the end of coil C is fed from pinch rolls 420, 425, it passes between an apron tray 43!) andan apron cover 433. As Seemthe apron tray 43!! is securely mounted on the housing frame 400 by suitable cross beams 48%. In order that the apron cover 433 will raise to permit the end of coil C to be more readily received, it has been pivotally mounted at one end by substantially Z-shaped lugs 434v that are disposed to extend from the axle shaft 409 of the upper.

pinch roll 420; at its other end, the apron cover is held in a slidable position with respect totray 430 by" means of ears 43l extending upwardly from the tray and receiving'a transverse limit rod 432 therein.

, When the apparatus'is discharging material,

the lever system is locked in position by the toggles M2, 460 and the swing lever M8, and,

cannot be unlocked by pressure between pinch rolls, ,but must be manually unlocked by break- In this position, the other end of the apron cover 433 is held down We clamp lug 435 as it abuts the limit rod 432. Of course, arm MS may be mechanically or pneumatically controlled if desired.

Since my disclosure has many aspects, I hereby reserve to myself, and, do hereby express my purpose to neither abandon nor forfeit, any right to prosecute claims in this or in divisional applications that may be drawn to matter. disclosed but not claimed.

While I have illustrated a few embodiments of my invention it will be apparent that various changes, additions, and omissions and combi nations thereof may be made in the apparatus illustrated and that the procedure for accomplishing the uncoiling may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of uncoiling a coil which includes turning the coil about its center until its end is nearly in position, slightly backing ofi the coil until the end is in position, and then, stripping said end at the last position.

2. The method of uncoiling 'a coil which includes turning the coil until an end is-ln a strip mounted on said carriage, at least one of said ping position, stripping said end, and simultaneously moving said end downwardly away from the coil, and moving the coil a lesser distance downwardly with respect to said end, and thence, pinching and feeding outwardly said end and progressive portions of the coil.

3. The method of uncoiling a coil which includes turning the coil in one direction about its center until its outer end is nearly in position, then, slightly backing off the coil until said end is in position, stripping said end at the last position, moving said end downwardly away from the coil to a feed position, and progressively feeding portions beginning with said end away from the 5. In an uncoiler for a coil, the combination of means for supporting the coil, pinch rolls, means for receiving an end of the coil, means for tilting I the coil, means operating in a timed relationship with said tilting means for moving said receiving means towards said rolls, so that said end will be fed to said rolls.

6. In an uncoiler for a coil, the combination of means for supporting the coil, pinch rolls, means for stripping an end of the coil, means for receiving the stripped end of the coil, and means for simultaneously tilting the coil and for moving said receiving means towards said rolls, so that said end will be fed to said rolls.

'7. An uncoiling apparatus having a suitable housing, the combination of a carriage pivotally mounted within said housing, said carriage being adapted to receive a coil, a pair of pinch rolls rolls being movable into and out of a pass-forming relationship with respect to the other, and means for raising and lowering said carriage and for moving said movable roll with respect to the other. A

8. In an uncoiling apparatus having a suitable housing, the combination of a carriage pivotally mounted within said housing, said carriage being adapted to receive a coil in the top portion thereof, a pair of pinch rolls mounted in said carriage,

at least one of said rolls being movably mounted with respect to the otherrand means for raising and lowering said carriage and for simultaneously raising and lowering said movable pinch roll.

9. In an uncoiling apparatus having a. suitable frame, the combination of a pinch roll Journaled within said frame, another pinch roll pivotally fulcrumed to said frame, means for moving said last-mentioned roll into and out of a cooperative relationship with respect to said first-mentioned roll, and means associated with said pinch rolls for pushing an end of a coil therebetween.

10. In an uncoiling apparatus having a suitable housing, the combination of a carriage pivotally mounted within said housing, said carriage being adapted to receive a coil therein, rack and gear means for raising and lowering said carriage, and means for driving said rack and gear means.

11. In an uncoiling apparatus having a suitable housing and a carriage movably mounted therein,

means for raising and lowering said carriage within the housing, means for driving said raising and lowering means, said raising and lowering means including a rack and gear mechanism, said driv-- ing means including a pneumatic mechanism.

12. In an uncoiling apparatus having a suitable housing, the combination of a carriage pivotally mounted within said housing, said carriage being adapted to receive a coil therein, means for raising and lowering said carriage and thus the coil received therein, means for locking said carriage .when in a lowered position, and means for preventing an actuation of said raising and lowering means until said lock has been released.

13. In an uncoiling apparatus having a suitable housing and a carriage movably mounted therein,

said carriage being adapted to support a coil, of

said carriage being adapted to support a coil, of

means for raising and lowering said carriage within the housing, means for driving said raising and lowering means, a magnetic lock means for holding the carriage in a lowered position, said magnetic lock means and said raising and lowering means having-a timed relationship with respect to each other, saidlockmeans having means for' disconnecting said driving means from said raislocked in a lowered position.

15. In an uncoiler for a coil, the combination of a carriage for supporting the coil, and a pinch roll mounted in said carriage and being positioned substantially in the path of a normal gravity fall of an end of the coil supported in said carriage.

-16. In an uncoiler for a coil, the combination of a carriage for supporting the coil, a pinch roll mounted in said carriage and being positioned substantially in the path of the normal'gravity fall of an end of the coil supported in said carriage, a movable pinch roll for aiding a fall of the coil end and for forming a pass with said first-mentioned roll, so that the coil end positively entered between the pass.

17. In an uncoiling apparatus having a suitable frame, the combination of a-pinch roll Journaled within said frame, another pinch roll pivotally fulcrumed tosaid frame, and lever means for moving said last-mentioned. roll into and out of a cooperativerelationship with respect to said first-mentioned roll, and means associated with said last-mentioned roll for pushing an end of a coil between said rolls.

"18. In an uncoiler for a coil, thecombination of means for supporting the coil, a pair of pinch rolls, a toggle joint means for raisingand lowering an upper pinch roll, said toggle joint means having means for pushing an end downwardly away from the coil and for'entering said end between said pinch rolls.

19. In an uncoiler for a coil, the combination of a pivotally mounted stripper finger means for may be ing and lowering means when the carriage is stripping an end of the coil and moving it away from the coil,, a straightening means, a pivotally mounted apron finger means for receiving said end of the coil from said stripper means and for moving said end of the coil into position with respect to said straightening means.

taneously moving an end of the coil between' 20. In an uncoiler for a coil, the combination of means for supporting the coil, a pair of pinch rolls, means for pushing an end of the coil away from it to a position between said pair ofpinch rolls, and means for simultaneously moving the coil to a position in substantial alignment with said pair of pinch rolls.

21. In an uncoiler apparatus for ,a coil, the combination of straightening rolls, stripper means for moving an end of the coil away from the coil, a pivotally mounted means for receiving said end of the coil from said stripper means, one" of said rolls being operatively mounted with respect to said pivotally mounted means and movable therewith through an arcuate path for pushing the stripped end of said coil away from the coil and between a pass formed by said rolls.

22. In an uncoiling apparatus having a suitablehousing, the combination of a carriage pivotally mounted within said housing,.sa id carriage being adapted to receive a coil, a pair of pinch rolls mounted in said carriage, at least one of said rolls being movably mounted with respect to the other,

a pivotally mounted means for moving an end of the coil between a pass formed by said pinch rolls, said movably mounted roll being operatively associated with said means, and means for raising and lowering said carriage and raising and lowera pinch roll rotatably mounted upon said holding means, means for engaging an end of the coil, a second pinch roll rotatably mounted upon said means, and means for moving said rolls into an engaging and pass-forming relationship with respect to each other, and for simultaneously moving said engaging means and the end of the coil carried thereby downwardly between the thusformed roll pass.

25. In an uncoiler for a coil, the combination of means for holding the coil, a plurality of stripper fingers for stripping an end of the coil,

' apron means for taking a stripped end of the coil from said stripper fingers, said apronmeans being pivotally mounted for movement between and away from said stripper fingers to grasp said end of the coil and to move it away from the coil to a feed position.

26. In an uncoiler for a coil, the combination of means for holding the coil, a pair of pinch rolls,

- ,means which includes a plurality of fingers for stripping an end from the coil, a plurality of fingers movable through said stripper means for receiving the stripped end of the. coil therefrom and for moving itbetween said pinch rolls.

27. In an uncoiling apparatus having a suit able housing, the combination of a carriage frame pivotally mounted at one end, thereof upon said housing, means mounted upon said carriage frame for rotatably supporting a coil, 8. lower pinch roll pivotally and resiliently mounted within said carriage frame, finger means pivotally mounted with respect to said carriage frame, an upper pinch roll mounted upon said finger means, means v for moving said finger means and said associated upper roll to a cooperating relationship with respect to saidlower pinchroll and for simulsaid pinch rolls. I

28. In an uncoiling apparatus having a suitable housing, the combination of a carriage fulcrumed at one end within the housing, a toggle fulcrumed between another end of said carriage and said housing, means mounted in said carriage for receiving a coil, additional means mounted in the means for actuating said feeding means when said carriage is raised and lowered.

29. In an uncoiling apparatus having a suitable housing, the combination of a carriage pivotally mounted in said housing, a plurality of rollers mounted in the top of said carriage for supporting a coil, a plurality of stripper fingers pivotally mounted in said housing and extending inwardly therefrom, and a lever system for raising and lowering said stripper fingers, so that an end may be moved outwardly from the coil, and a plurality of apron fingers pivotally mounted in said carriage and adapted to receive the stripped end of the coil, and means for moving said apron fingers. downwardly for feeding the stripped end of the coil.

30. In an uncoiling apparatus having a suitable housing and a carriage movably mounted in said housing, of means for ralsingjand lowering the carriage within the housingg meansv for driving said raising and lowering means, means for locking the carriage in a lowered position Withinthe housing,said locking means including means for automatically disconnecting said raising and lowering means from said drivingmeans,

and means for preventing a connection of said raising and lowering-means to said driving means" while the carriage is in a locked position.

31. In an uncoiling apparatus having a suitable housing and a carriage pivotally mounted in said housing, the combination of means for raising arid lowering the carriage within the housing about the pivot, a pair of pinch rolls mounted within the carriage, a common driv- 32. In an uncoiling apparatus having a suitable housing, the combination of a carriage mounted in said housing, a plurality of rollers mounted in the upper portion of said carriage for receiving 'a coil, guide rails for limiting side movement of the coil on said rollers, ahandwheel for turning said rollers, and thus, turning the coil, a plurality of stripper fingers pivotally mounted in said carriage, each stripper finger having a catch finger pivotally mounted in an extending end thereof for snubbing an outer end of the coil, a pinch -roll resiliently mounted insaid carriage, an'apron tray mounted on said carriage and extending from a pass level of said roll outwardly from said carriage, a lever system, another pinch roll mounted in said lever system, a cover apron mounted on the shaft of'said last-mentioned rolL.

' rollers.

means for raising and lowering said carriage and simultaneously actuating said lever system for moving said last-mentioned roll to and from a cooperative relationship with respect to said firstmentloned roll, and means timed -to said lastmentioned actuating means for initially operating said stripper fingers before said carriage is lowered, and counterweight means at one end secured to said carriage for balancing said carriage at positions 'within the housing.

33. The combination with a support for a coiled strip, of astationary feed roller, a movable feed roller, means for engaging the outer free end of the coil, and mechanism for actuating the said means and movable feed roller to bring the outer end of the coil into proximity to the stationary feed roller and to cause the same to be gripped between the stationary and movable feed 34. The combination with a coil support, of a carrying member or head movable in a fixed path relative to the'support, means carried by the head for engaging and deflecting the free outer end of a coil mounted on said support, and second means carried by said member for engaging the 0011- end after it has been deflected to a predetermined extent. 5

35. In an uncoiling machine, in combination, a coil support, a feed roller positioned adjacent the support, a second feed roller parallel tothe first roller, said rollers being relatively bodily movable into or out of position to frictionally 10 grip between them a metallic strip, means for moving said rollers toward each other and into strip gripping position and for separating the rollers .to facilitate insertion of the end of a strip between them, and means for engaging the out- 15 er free end of a coil mounted upon said support, and deflecting the same into position between said rollers while the rollers are separated, said last mentioned means disengaging the strip after the rollers have. been moved into strip gripping 20 position.

FRED WALDORF. 

